South Africa finished Day 2 on 88/6 in response to England’s total of 400 runs in their first innings. South Africa is still trailing by 312 runs with 4 wickets still in hand for their first innings.
England won the toss and opted to bat first. The visitors build up a strong opening partnership. Dom Sibley added 44 runs from 93 deliveries, while Zak Crawley scored 66 from 112 balls.
Skipper Joe Root scored 59 from 108 deliveries. Ollie Pope also scored 56 from 78 balls before getting bowled by Anrich Nortje. Joe Root and Ollie Pope both shared a 101 runs partnership.
Ben Stokes lost his wicket after scoring just 2 runs at the hands of Anrich Nortje. When returning to the camp he got in a verbal altercation with a spectator which resulted in him being fined for 15 percent of match fee and one demerit point.
ASLO READ: Ben Stokes fined and handed one demerit point for verbal abuse
After losing the pair, England fell to 318/9. But Stuart Broad and Mark Wood’s heroic innings made sure their team at least reaches 400. The two took a last-wicket stand of 82 runs.
Stuart Broad played a quick innings of 43 runs from 28 balls with 2 fours and 4 sixes, while Mark Wood remained undefeated with 35 from 39 balls.
England lost all their wickets for 400 runs. South Africa’s Anrich Nortje secured 5 wickets for 110 runs in 24 overs, his maiden 5-wicket haul. Vernon Philander and Dane Paterson both took 2 wickets each, while debutant Beuran Hendricks took just 1.
South Africa started out slow into their innings but lost Pieter Malan for just 15 off 63 balls on Mark Wood’s delivery. Rassie van der Dussen lost his wicket on a duck. Skipper Faf du Plessis faced 29 balls for 3 runs. Opener Dean Elgar contributed 26 runs from 64 balls with 5 fours.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock is still on the crease with 32 runs from 44 deliveries. Temba Bavuma and Anrich Nortje fell to Mark Wood towards the end of the day for 6 runs each.
South Africa is currently 6 down for 88 runs. Mark Wood has secured 3 wickets for 21 runs in 8.5 overs. Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, and Ben Stokes have taken 1 wicket each for England.
Maiden five-wicket haul in Tests for Anrich Nortje!
What a moment for the South Africa paceman ?#SAvENG pic.twitter.com/IrsIZ6z7yg
— ICC (@ICC) January 25, 2020
England is currently leading the 4-match Test series by 2-1 after defeating the hosts in the 2nd and 3rd Test by a considerable margin.
